1,200-year-old remains of six sacrificed women found in Peru

Peruvian archaeologists have announced an important discovery; a temple located in Lambayeque that demonstrates cultural links between pre-Inca cultures.

The remains of six women who appear to have been killed in ritual sacrifice at a secret compound beneath a 
1,200-year-old ceremonial temple have been unearthed [Credit: CEN/Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipan]

At the Huaca Santa Rosa, in the Pucalá district, 30 kilomters from Chiclayo, a team of researchers has found sacrificial evidence and Moche, Wari and Cajamarca influences, all in one.

“We have discovered a ceremonial temple of 1,200 years of antiquity that used to serve as a secret compound where priests performed sacrifices of women for their gods,” said Édgar Bracamonte, according to Andina news agency.

The temple compound appears to have had platforms and a central ramp, which was covered with earth and was found 
to contain a large quantity of offerings which had presumably been left to honour the gods
 [Credit: CEN/Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipan]

The archaeologist explained that among their findings, they have an inventory of six oddly placed burials of young women, and atypical offerings made to the gods.

The skulls of the skeletons are all situated so they’re facing the Andes, and are oriented completely differently than the men found in Mochica and Lambayeque sites.

“This finding [the temple] is very important because it reveals a close relationship between the Moche and Lambayeque cultures,” said Bracamonte.

In northern Peru, the Moche culture developed between years 100 and 700 AD; Cajamarca between 200 and 800 AD, and Wari between 500and 900 AD. Finally, Lambayeque formed between 700 and 1375 AD.

Author: Hillary Ojeda | Source: Peru this Week [January 27, 2016]